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Prose - Types of Prose

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PROSE Prose is one of the genres of literature that deals with storytelling. It is usually a continuous piece of writing like an essay. It makes detailed analysis and description of events, setting and character: It is written in paragraphs without metre and rhyme. The author explains everything and leaves the reader to draw his conclusion. The writer of a novel is called a novelist. Objectivity is central to narrative fiction. One of the following is a narrative technique in the novel: A. Character B. interesting story C. Flashback D. Logical conclusion E. Social relevance (JAMB1978 Q23) Option C is correct. TYPES OF PROSE 1. Fiction: It is an imaginary story which is not real. It is based on the Writer’s imagination, creativity and inspiration. Chinua Achebe’s Things fall Apart and David IIuebe’s Irrevocable Mistake are good examples of fiction. 2. Non-Fiction: This is a true life story and such a story could be biography or autobiography e.g Richard Wright’s Blac...

Drama - Elements of Drama

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DRAMA The term drama comes from the Greek word ‘dram’, meaning “action” In Classical Greek, the drama also means “to do” or “to act” Drama is the imitation or representation of reality on stage. It is an imaginative expression of ideas in form of action and dialogue. Dramatic personae are known as characters in a drama, which also comprises actors and actresses. A drama cannot be regarded as a play until it is acted on stage. A play is a drama in book form. It is written in or without act and scene that is meant to be performed on stage. Play, therefore, means drama for the stage. A playlet is a short drama piece. The distinguishing characteristic of drama as a genre is its reliance on action and dialogue. Whenever you observe two quarrelsome drivers in traffic, you will see those two primary elements of drama-action and dialogue. It is basically through the actions and dialogues of characters that the story which is a piece of drama is developed, and if you take aw...

Poetry - Classifications of Poetry

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CLASSIFICATIONS OF POETRY KINDS OF POETRY Poems are grouped into the following categories: Elegy: it is a type of Iyrical poem that expresses sadness for someone who has died. Thomas Gray’s Elegy ‘written in a country Churchyard” mourns all who lived and died quietly and never had the chance to be great. It is different from elegy because it is shorter, and usually written to be sung while elegy cannot be sung. Dirge: It is a song of lamentation sung on the occasion of someone’s death. It is different from elegy because it is shorter and usually written to be sung while elegy cannot be sung. Milton’s “ Lycidas” is a good example. Dramatic Poetry: It involves the use of characters, dialogue and action. The poet’s speech and actions in the poem are represented. It has dramatic devices such as monologue, dialogue or conversation. Wole Soyinka “Telephone Conversation” and O.M. Mtshali’s “Night fall in Soweto are classic examples. Ode: It is a long meditative, and Iyr...